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Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s mobility and ability to maintain posture and balance. Cerebral Palsy is caused by a non-progressive brain abnormality, meaning that the injury will not get worse over time, although the symptoms can change. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. Muscle tone refers to the amount of resistance to movement a muscle can sustain, or what lets your body keep you in a certain position or posture.
According to a New York Birth Injury Lawyer, in 1996 1 in every 278 children had Cerebral Palsy. In 2000 1 in every 323 suffered from the disorder. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the child’s brain. The part of the brain that is damaged determines what body part is going to be affected. Damage occurs when either an injury takes place (sometimes during birth) or when a genetic condition affects the blood supply to the brain. Bacterial meningitis and other infections, or bleeding in the brain, lack of oxygen, head injury or even severe jaundice can cause Cerebral Palsy. Children who were born prematurely, or with a low birth weight are more likely to have problems that may lead to Cerebral Palsy.
A NY Birth Injury Lawyer has discussed how the Center for Disease Control funds the North Atlantic Neuro-Epidemiology Alliance (NANEA). The NANEA studies factors that cause Cerebral Palsy, including infections, bleeding, and raised temperatures during pregnancy. These studies are being performed in Denmark. All of these factors can lead to children being born with Cerebral Palsy or suffering a birth injury that leads to Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy causes the need for long-term care. In 2003, the lifetime estimated cost for one person with cerebral palsy was $921,000. It is estimated that $11.5 billion dollars will be needed to care for all the people born with cerebral palsy in 2000. Direct medical costs (doctor visits, prescription costs, and inpatient hospital stays) make up 10%, direct nonmedical expenses (car modifications, home modifications, and special education) make up 9%, indirect costs (value of lost wages) make up 81% of the costs. Hospitals in New York City and Long Island try to avoid situations which would cause this dreaded disease.
The Lawyer has discovered that the CDC does not study treatment or education programs for people with cerebral palsy. They have, however, put together a list of resources for those families. They state that people with cerebral palsy can live healthy lives, and that there are many federal and federally funded programs that help people with cerebral palsy live well.
If you or a family member suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and were injured during birth, which lead to your diagnosis, you may be entitled to help. A New York Birth Injury Attorney will review your case and help you to achieve the compensation you deserve. Contact a New York Birth Injury Attorney to get the benefits you desire.
The Office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates can offer you support and guidance as well as a free consultation when you contact us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW. We have offices in N York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx and in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.